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The Virginia Plan: 18th-Century Innovation

In today’s world, it’s a word we hear an awful lot. And I suppose that’s good, because it’s all around us. I’m typing on a laptop computer due to innovation. It has an LCD screen due to innovation. It weighs in at less than 6 pounds due to innovation. It’s 86°F outside as I type, but I’m nice and comfy inside due to that word. It’s innovation that allowed me to give my 35″ tube TV (that weighs 150 pounds) to my folks, replacing it with a 40″ model that’s barely 1″ thick and weighs just 40 pounds.

It made Bob Ross a terrific painter and teacher. It helps you fix your car, mow your lawn, see in the dark, and keep dry when it rains. Let’s be honest…innovation is pretty nice.

But it wasn’t always that way. There was a time when innovation was something to be avoided. For example, when the delegates gathered in 1789’s version of Philadelphia for the Federal Convention, those considered innovators were looked down on. In her book Miracle at Philadelphia, Catherine Bowen writes, “Innovation was a word that had been in bad repute for centuries. It meant something impulsive, a trifle addled, the work of an enthusiast and certainly an infringement on the law.”

On May 29, 1787, Virginia Congressman William Grayson, giving his thoughts on the prospects for the Convention, said, “What will be the result of their meeting I cannot with any certainty determine, but I hardly think much good can come of it: the people of America don’t appear to me to be ripe for any great innovations.”

Had Grayson actually been a fly on the wall of Independence Hall the same day he gave his assessment, he would have been blown away when, as James Madison recollected, “Mr. Randolph then opened the main business.” Speaking for the Virginia delegation, Edmund Randolph (shown above, from Grayson’s own state no less!) offered up fifteen Resolves that were not only “innovative”, they turned the Articles of Confederation on its proverbial head.

The Resolves, which ultimately became known as the Virginia Plan, called for a brand new three-pronged government, comprised of a national executive, a national judiciary, and a national legislature. The legislature was to be made up of two branches, a house made up of representatives elected by the public, and another house made up of representatives elected by the first house.

And as we all know, the Virginia Plan was very close to the final structure that was adopted. What’s more, the other “radical” ideas suggested were very similar in their construction, which shows how many of the delegates were very much on the same page. The Convention was but 4 days old, and already the current government structure was being shown the door.

2 Responses

Wow! What a great site! I’ve been reading a lot about the American Revolution. I see, obviously you have too! (And been doing it longer!) One of the more interesting themes I have come across is how well situated we were in this country to formulate the Constitution.

We had a lot of practice at it, the Mayflower Compact, constitutions in many colonies (Massachusetts’ is similar to US), the Articles of Confederation, and others.

Thanks for the kind words. I wish I had been reading a lot more about the mid/late 18th century a lot sooner. McCullough’s John Adams really got me going 4 or 5 years ago. It’s a fascinating time period. So much change, so much discovery, so much trial and error.

I suppose the same could be said of today, but the change we see today tends to be smaller…sub-atomic, nano-sized. It’s still tremendous change, but harder for me to relate to.

As long as history matters, I think this time period will be one of the best parts of it.